Town striker David McGoldrick has been left out of Martin O’Neill’s reduced squad for the World Cup play-offs against Jonas Knudsen’s Denmark during the international break.

McGoldrick, 29, was named in the provisional squad named last month but the FAI announced this afternoon that the six-times-capped frontman has been omitted from the final party.

While injuries are mentioned in relation to a number of other players who have been left out, the announcement makes no reference to McGoldrick having any fitness issues.

Ireland face the Danes at the Parken Stadium, Copenhagen on Saturday with the second match at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin next Tuesday.

Yesterday, Blues left-back Knudsen, who has been capped at full level twice, both before joining Town, was added to the Denmark squad for the games.

The Ireland squad includes ex-Blues striker Daryl Murphy but former skipper Jon Walters is currently sidelined with a knee injury.

Republic of Ireland: Darren Randolph (Middlesbrough), Rob Elliot (Newcastle United), Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday), Colin Doyle (Bradford City), Cyrus Christie (Middlesbrough), Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Paul McShane (Reading), Shane Duffy (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ciaran Clark (Newcastle United), John O'Shea (Sunderland), Kevin Long, Stephen Ward (Burnley), Aiden McGeady (Sunderland), Jeff Hendrick, Robbie Brady (Burnley), Glenn Whelan, Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), David Meyler (Hull City), Harry Arter (Bournemouth), Eunan O'Kane (Leeds United), Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City), Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City), James McClean (West Bromwich Albion), Shane Long (Southampton), Daryl Murphy (Nottingham Forest), Scott Hogan (Aston Villa), Aiden O'Brien (Millwall).

Photo: Action Images

OwainG1992 added 16:15 - Nov 6 Don't mean to be selfish but I'm happy about this. Nice week rest for him before proper training again! Keep him fit.
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Seasider added 16:55 - Nov 6 Sorry for David;but a blessing in disguise. Martin O'neill may not consider him good enough to make the cut;but us supporters will be happy in the knowedge that Didsy will be back fighting fit for the Hull game hopefully?
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Cloddyseedbed added 17:10 - Nov 6 My only concern is that he's been playing really well and giving 100% maybe because of the world cup coming up. Hope his attitude doesn't change when/if he gets overlooked in future.
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WadeyBlue added 17:30 - Nov 6 Fuk em. Clearly that scummer O'Neill doesnt have a clue about good footballers.
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Cakeman added 18:24 - Nov 6 Either greatest if respect, O'Neil needs players who are going to roll up their sleeves and battle for everything. McGoldrick, good player that he is can often be a luxury player.
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Icantbelieveyousaidt added 18:34 - Nov 6 WadeyBlue, please tell me your comment was tongue in cheek. If you meant it, you go top of the 'most stupid comment of the year' pile!
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cat added 19:45 - Nov 6 Simply, simply lovleh, this will mean that Dids will have plenty in the tank, blinding shot Sir! :-)
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Currie10 added 22:00 - Nov 6 find it hard to believe Ireland have 4 strikers better than Dids at the minute... Find it hard to believe Aiden O'Brien is better, however never seen him play and maybe biased! Their loss is our gain...
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cobboldblue added 23:05 - Nov 6 Oh dear ROI, you have so made the wrong call there. Hope Jonas and Denmark (or is that Norway? - Look East you idiots) make it through now.
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Len_Brennan added 02:15 - Nov 7 Ireland are missing Walters & Maguire through injury, Keane is retired & Long is completely out of form. They have Hogan & the lad O'Brien from Millwall who have no international experience in the squad. Meanwhile Daryl Murphy is the main striker & he had a very decent, proven partnership with Didz who has been fit, playing & in good form this season. There's no way O'Brien should make this squad ahead of him, for such a crucial couple of games, all things being even. Without doubt there is more to this than meets the eye. When Didz was released from a depleted squad before the Wales match I said that his international career is probably over as long as O'Neill is in charge & it looks certain now. O'Neill may not trust him to do the dirty work, tracking back etc, but I suspect Didz made his feelings known about not getting to play in the game before the Wales one (Moldova?) which did not go down well. Disappointing for him, but it's two less chances of him getting injured now. Every cloud ...

5

Carberry added 09:09 - Nov 7 Has everyone forgotten that he asked to go home rather stay with the squad at the last International week? No surprise that they have overlooked him. Doesn't look like such an important season for him now.
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